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Hudson Valley resident Roger Ailes, the former president and chairman of Fox News, died Thursday morning at age 77 due to complications of a subdural hematoma after he fell in his Palm Beach home last week, according to police.

“I am profoundly sad and heartbroken to report that my husband, Roger Ailes, passed away this morning. Roger was a loving husband to me, to his son Zachary, and a loyal friend to many,” Elizabeth Ailes, his wife, said in a statement.

His family was the former publishers of the Putnam County News and Recorder and the Putnam County Courier. A longtime resident of Garrison in Putnam County, he announced last summer he was withdrawing his $500,000 donation for a senior center at the Butterfield development that was to be named after him.

Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell said Ailes was a man of genuine compassion.

"[Ailes] cared about the community; especially our seniors, veterans and active military personnel. He and his family donated their resources to many local causes that benefited our residents," Odell said,

Odell said Ailes reminded her of Winston Churchill.

"Churchill once said, 'Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few,'" Odell said. "This is how I will always remember Roger Ailes. So many owe him so much. He was a loyal and fierce friend who will be truly missed.

Ailes was in the process of selling his properties in Putnam at the time of his death. Two properties are still on the market, while one sold last December.

Last July, Ailes was ousted from Fox News following allegations of sexual harassment made by former anchor Gretchen Carlson.

Lawsuits against Ailes over sexual harassment are expected to continue, with the suits being filed against his estate. 21st Century Fox has already paid $45 million to settle previous suits against Ailes.